The Irony 3 Novel Train wishes you Happy Holidays and a Blessed New Year. To those who have decided to peripherally monitor this train to see of it goes off the rails, I feel obligated to inform you that I am not a same time every day writer. It comes when it comes and the schedule allows. I would love to be a same time every day AM writer. Alas, there are days when I am a PM writer, and even late night writer. (In fact, that is most days) Happy Scribing.

Dec. 20/21 – Days 50 & 51 – 1035 Words

Ah, the beginning of another writing week. Week 8, if I am not mistaken. And not just any writing week, Christmas writing week. An early Merry Christmas to you, if you are reading this. If you are not, what the heck are you waiting for? Anyway, I figured out exactly what I want for Christmas. Peace on earth and good will toward men. However, since that is highly unlikely, considering the current climate, I will take a good mind-blowing, gasping, toe-curling, yes! yes! yes! twist for my book. If your thoughts went in other directions, I will pray for you.“Then that prayer better begin with your name.”

Okay, then, on to the writing. Day 50 saw a jagged effort, as the Novel Train moved along. The calendar blurb on Contact/Home pages tells you that I finally got around to having the discussion I wanted my two characters to have. I wanted to play out the scene a certain way and feel that I kind of pulled it off, for what I was going for. The next day, day 51, saw me expound on that effort, and then the book began writing itself again. I wanted to move on, but the book felt like expounding a bit more on the topic. So, that is what I did. I have no doubt, because of where I left off, that it will continue into Day 52.

Incidentally, I said in past updates that I was still working out some things about my plot line and such. Some of those things have become clearer, and a few more are in sight, if a little fuzzy, but events are taking shape and the book has life; which is what I was hoping for from the beginning. So, um, yeah, booyah with a cup of green tea.

Don’t know how good the book itself will be, but critically acclaimed or not, I will be proud of the accomplishment. The only bad book I have written is those I haven’t written. Happy writing people.

Dec. 22 - Day 52 – 711 Words

Hmm, 711 words, I’ll take it. It was one of those days again where the completion of the scene, or at least the furtherance of it beyond 500 words, was buzzing around in my head. Most times when I get to the 500 word goal, or thereabouts, I can mindset where I am, scribble quickly about where I am thinking of going next, and close the document.

However, on those days when the completion or furtherance of a scene is crystal clear, I type on. Because, I believe I have it good in my head, just the way I want it, and I don’t want to lose it. When that happens, the 500 word goal fades and I write to completion of the buzzing words and scene images in my head. This time it was to 711. Hmm, anyone else feel the urge for a slurpy? Or maybe a really unhealthy microwave cheeseburger or glaze doughnut? MMMMM, glaze!

Okay, so, my channeling Homer Simpson aside, Doh!, it was a good writing day. Got me some 700 words, kept the train on the tracks, and stayed focused on the goal even being so close to Christmas. Some might call that a Holiday miracle. I call it “Every time the Irony 3 Novel Christmas Train whistle blows, an angel gives me 500 word wings. Sigh, I can open a Mazola plant that was so corny. Happy writing people.

See Contact/Home page calendar for blurb.

Dec. 23/24 – Days 53 & 54 - 1122 Words

It’s Christmas Eve, baby. Alright ! I’d better get more than coal this year. Why did I get coal last year? Yeah, right, like I am going to tell you that. :P That is between me and the fat jolly man, though it wasn’t all my fault, because--”“You’re telling.”Oh, right, well, at least you are good for something. Anyway, Merry Christmas to you all from the bottom of the Irony 3 Christmas Train’s heart. Needless to say, I will be taking tomorrow off as a writing day. Wow, it is Christmas Eve already? Where did the month go? Month? Heck, where did the year go? Meh, we all say that, and no doubt I will be saying it next year about this same time. Okay, on to the blog topic, the last two writing days. Day 53 saw me complete chapter 10 and begin chapter 11. Onward and upward, right? There was that pause thing I had to do before beginning chapter 11 (Week 2/Day 12) to figure just how I wanted to start. Though, it wasn’t pronounced, as I was starting with a small ramification segment from the previous chapter.

Day 54 brought with it a backstory for my quirky conspiracy guy, as I was bringing about the meeting between him and my MC. It was a smoothish writing day, as a block of words poured in near the 500 mark, pushing my total to 580. I’m not complaining. Words is as words does. If that didn’t make sense to you in that context, then you can just call me crazy, I am used to it.

Anyway, there you go, Christmas Eve 2014 netted me an early 580 word gift. I am going to go hang my stockings now, for that not lump of coal that I am getting tomorrow. Merry Christmas people, blessings to you, and, of course, happy holiday writing.

See Contact page calendar for blurb.

Dec. 25/26 – Days 55 & 56 - 528 Words

Days 55 & 56. Christmas day and the day after. Did I really need to tell you that? Probably not, but it’s out there now, so… Anyway, Merry Christmas to you and Happy Holidays. I hope you had a blessed day and it continues on through the New Year. I urge you to take a minute, if you will, to remember in your meditations those who are less fortunate than yourself. Never hurts to keep in mind, “There but for the grace of God, go I.”

Okay, where was I? Oh, Christmas day and the day after. Well, obvious by the vacant calendar space, I took the holiday off. As for what I received for Christmas, let us just say I was pleased by those things with which I was gifted.

Day 56 saw me pick up the story and chug along on the rails. It was another jagged effort. Don’t know whether it was due to momentum interruption or just the part of the story I was on. I would say the latter. Because, yes, we authors script our outline, but we are still making this stuff up as we go along. And on some days, the makeup generator is blowing black smoke and needs an oil change. Rest? Food? A hug? I don’t know, whatever oil makes your makeup generator go. What makes mine go?“This not an erotica blog.”

Okay, then, like I was saying, some days the generator needs gas or an oil change or something and then it will be ok. I wrote through choking on the smoke and got me some 528 words. I’ll take it, happily. Oh, wait, isn’t this the end of another writing week? Hmm, yes it is. The end of week 8. To that I say, “I’m gonna get a candy bar! I’m gonna get a candy bar!” Um, before you start thinking I am off my rocker, I will post the link to the reference. Little Shop of Horrors fans (1986) may recognize the phrase from the dentist scene with Murray and Martin. I’m gonna get a candy bar! Reference link.